Clarion Athletics

Chuck Nanz is the father of the Clarion Men’s Swimming Tradition. Nanz was hired in 1968-69 by former A.D. Frank Lignelli to come to Clarion and build a men’s swimming program. Nanz spent the year getting the men’s program organized, then in 1969-70, with the help of diving coach Don Leas (Clarion Hall of Fame Inductee 1997), started their first year of varsity competition. Clarion was an amazing second at the PSAC’s that first season, then won seven straight PSAC Championships after that. In 1971, the year the first PSAC championship was recorded, Clarion set 8 conference records. Clarion had an amazing dual meet record of 74-10 under Nanz in 8 years, with 3 Clarion teams going undefeated. Several of Clarion’s men’s swim teams placed in the top 6 in both the NAIA and NCAA nationals during his leadership and the Eagles were 13th or better at nationals every year. Chuck also started the Eagle Summer Swim Camps, which have been highly successful over the years and was the men’s intramural director from 1968-77. Overall the men’s swim teams have won a total of 24 PSAC Crowns. Nanz is a native of Pittsburgh and was a 1952 graduate of South Hills High School. Attending the University of Pittsburgh, Nanz was a 4-year letterman and a senior captain with the Panthers in 1959. Chuck was a highly successful coach at Baldwin-Whitehall High School from 1964-68 leading his teams to two second place finishes at the PIAA State Championships before coming to Clarion in 1968. Chuck resides in Chula Vista, California. He has two daughters Margie and Marilyn, a son Mike, and the late Mark Nanz.

*1969-70 - Head Coach Clarion's First Men's Season

*1969-70 - Clarion Places Second at PSAC's

*1971-77 - Clarion Wins PSAC Titles (7)

*1970-77 - Clarion Dual Meet Record 74-10

*Clarion Had 3 Undefeated Seasons Under Nanz

*Several Top 10 Teams In NAIA & D-II Nationals

*Clarion 13^th Or Better at Nationals Every Year

*Started Clarion Summer Swim Camps